Friday’s Mega Millions® Jackpot is Largest U.S. Jackpot in History; Another $1 Million Winner Sold i

March 28, 2012

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia Lottery Director John Musgrave announced today that a Mega Millions® ticket worth $1 million was sold at a retail location in Marion County for last night’s Mega Million® drawing. There were no jackpot winners nationwide so Friday’s Mega Million’s jackpot is now a record $476 million with a cash option of $341 million. Those totals make it the largest U.S. jackpot in history in terms of both the annuity amount and cash option amount.

“We are thrilled to have yet another million dollar winner right here in West Virginia thanks to Mega Millions!,” Musgrave said. “The lucky winner has not stepped forward to claim their winnings so we are eagerly waiting to be contacted to validate the win.”

Musgrave said that Mega Millions® sales statewide have been brisk with the ever growing large jackpot that now stands at a record amount.

“We are seeing a huge increase in Mega Millions® sales statewide with the incredible jackpot amounts. These multi-state games are jackpot driven and our retailers have experienced a huge rush by players to buy a chance at an incredible amount of money,” Musgrave said. “During the drive time hours this morning we were seeing nearly 50 Mega Millions® ticket transactions per minute in West Virginia. That is a sign of just how much excitement is out there.”

The numbers for Tuesday night’s (March 27, 2012) Mega Millions® drawing were 9-19-34-44-51 with a Mega Ball of 24 and the Megaplier® was: x3. The $1 million winner in West Virginia from last night’s draw was one of only four in the nation to match 5 and play the Megaplier® option which automatically increased the prize amount from $250,000 to $1 million. West Virginia also produced two $10,000 winners who matched four numbers plus the Mega Ball for Tuesday’s draw.

LARGEST U.S. LOTTERY JACKPOTS IN HISTORY
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS)

$476 MM – Friday, Mar 30, 2012
$390 MM – Mar 6, 2007
$380 MM – Jan 3, 2011
$365 PB – Feb 18, 2006
$340 PB – Oct 19, 2005
$336 MM – Aug 28, 2009
$330 MM – Aug 31, 2007
Key: MM- Mega Millions®, PB-Powerball®